2007 NCAA Tournament Discussion

[TheKilo]

For each region, I'll do sleeper team (dark horse - must be 5 seed or higher), 1st round upset, overrated team, and region winner.

 

EAST REGION

 

SLEEPER TEAM (DARK HORSE) - Michigan State. Beat Wisconsin a couple of weeks ago, beat Texas earlier in the year. There are some teams you don't feel confident in doing well in the tournament (Kansas, Pittsburgh) and then there are teams who always seem to make a run. Michigan State is one of those teams. Tom Izzo will make sure they come prepared and I like the way Drew Neitzel plays. I think they could really give UNC a run for their money in the 2nd round...I'm not sold on the youth of UNC.

 

1st ROUND UPSET - The 11/6 game. Vanderbilt is not the most impressive team in the world. Yeah, they beat Florida, but they lost to Arkansas twice the last two weeks and they have some really terrible early season losses. Look for GW to knock the Commodores off.

 

MOST OVERRATED TEAM - Washington State. They had a nice enough season, but they also play in the Pac-10. Other than UCLA and Oregon, I'm not expecting any P10 team to make any semblance of a deep tourny run. At first glance it looks like they should have an easy road to the sweet 16, but I don't think they can afford to sleep on Oral Roberts. If Wazoo wins, they draw either GW or Vandy. GW has some athletes and could give WSU fits, and Vandy can shoot the 3. I expect WSU to make the Sweet 16, but they are rated a bit too high I think and will fall next weekend.

 

REGION WINNER - Georgetown. I like the way they looked in the Big East tournament. Hibbert and Green are two legitimate stars who can take the game over, and they play excellent defense. They made a pretty good run last year, and they have really been the class of the Big East all year. I'm not sold on UNC's ability to run a half court offense, and that's exactly what GTown will make them do.

 

 

I'll do the rest after I microwave a Hot Pocket.

[TheKilo]

SOUTH REGION

 

SLEEPER - Long Beach State. One of those 5/12 games, and while Tennessee has looked good in some games they've looked awfully average in others. It's certainly not out of the question to think that they can get to the Sweet 16. Virginia doesn't shoot the ball all that well. Plus, Long Beach State has that one guy who just took over the game last night, Aaron Nixon. He's solid and can give people fits.

 

1st ROUND UPSET - Long Beach State over Tennessee or Albany over Virginia. See above for LBSU, but Albany took UConn to the limit last year and if Virginia doesn't shoot well (their guards are good but their FG% isn't great) they can be in trouble.

 

MOST OVERRATED TEAM - Memphis. 30 wins and overrated? Yep. Who did they play of any significance? 1-2 vs. the top 50 in the RPI and they won an incredibly weak conference. Yeah, they're athletic, but aside from that I'm not impressed. I think a 2 seed is way too high for them, I would have put them at a 4. They need to play good teams before getting a seed that high. honestly would not be shcoked to see a 2nd round loss to either Nevada or Creighton.

 

REGION WINNER - OH-IO. Oden and company take care of business.

[TheKilo]

MIDWEST REGION

 

SLEEPER - Winthrop. Should have beaten Tennessee last year, they use that experience to their advantage and they advance to the second round at the very least. They are a really solid all around team and should not be taken lightly at all, it's too bad they would have to face Oregon in the second round.

 

Honorable Mention - ODU. A bit of the shine on Butler's season has been worn off, and ODU was one of the better mid-majors all year. Favorable road as Maryland has shown they could not come to play some nights (see the Miami FL game in the ACC tournament.

 

1st ROUND UPSET - Winthrop or ODU. I actually think both teams will win, but I have more confidence in Winthrop.

 

MOST OVERRATED TEAM - Maryland. Athletic, a couple of nice wins down the stretch, but a 4 seed? Come on. 10 wins in the ACC is impressive, but losing to Virginia twice doesn't help much. I think this team is a 5/6 seed, but it's not too much of a gripe. i actually think the committee got this bracket right.

 

REGION WINNER - Oregon. I love the perimeter players of the Ducks, and if they can continue their roll from the P10 tournament, they'll be a very dangerous team. Wisconsin showed some holes today, and I honestly don't think Florida wins two in a row.

[TheKilo]

WEST REGION

 

SLEEPER - Virginia Tech. In a bracket where all of the focus is on UCLA and Kansas, why not some attention to the team that swept the #2 overall seed? Not a great showing in the ACC Tournament, but a pretty talented team who should get to the Sweet 16. Illinois probably shouldn't be in the field and Southern Illinois has problems scoring points.

 

1st ROUND UPSET - VCU over Duke. Duke a 6 seed?? I'll get to that in a second, but has anyone ever been this unimpressed with a Duke team that made the tournament? VCU won a very competitive CAA this year (you know a mid major is competitive when the team that finished 4th has a legit beef for not making the tourny) so this just has the feeling of one of those "talented mid major beats underachieving major team" games.

 

MOST OVERRATED TEAM - Duke. How is Duke a 6 seed? I mean, I hate Duke, but there is absolutely no way even the most diehard Duke fan can convince me that they are a 6 seed. I'd put them anywhere from an 8-10. The committee gave Coach K a break, but a don't see them making any kind of run (if they get out of the first round).

 

REGION WINNER - Virginia Tech. One team that makes the Final Four is one that always comes out of nowhere. Looking at the brackets right now, I think Virginia Tech can really be that team. Kansas is deep, but is traditionally a disappointing tournament team. UCLA is arguably the most talented team, but two losses in a row does not inspire confidence. I think the Hokies are going to make a run and surprise a lot of people.

[TheKilo]

FINAL FOUR

 

Georgetown

Oregon

Ohio State

Virginia Tech

 

Don't hold me to these predictions, I still have to look at the brackets a little closer. But I think the eventual NCAA Champions are going to be...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

....THE GEORGETOWN HOYAS

[jacksonianmarch]

i dont think so.

[See Red]

Wisconsin

Texas

Texas A&M

Kansas

 

That's your final four, ladies and gentlemen.

 

Kansas will be taking home the trophy.

[schillingouttheks]

Wisconsin

Texas

Texas A&M

Kansas

 

That's your final four, ladies and gentlemen.

 

Kansas will be taking home the trophy.

 

I agree with your final four, but I have A&M winning it all, bitches.

[schillingouttheks]

s***. I think Washington State is pretty overrated myself and because of that I can't decide who to choose in a matchup with WSU against GWU. Who you got in that game?

[Mr Crunchy]

gee

3 big 12 teams and nobody from the east or west coast??

no unc who beat the s*** out of everyone??

no florida who returned everyone from last years championship team and won the sec title game by 30 points??

wisconsin is slow,real slow and they met the woodshed yesterday for real

wahsington state is overrated

kansas florida gtown and ohio made statements this weekend along with carolina

 

memphis has a lot of questions despite winning 30 games

 

its wide open with perhaps 10 teams capable of winning it all

just like last year

my buddy won the club pool last year without getting a single team in the 4

[TheKilo]

It's very wide open, and that's why there will be upsets.

 

Is anyone starting a pool BTW?

[BSN07]

AK. has no buisness being in the tourney, Syracuse, Drexel and a few other deserved to be there more,

 

Midwest- Florida

West- UCLA

East- Texas

South- Ohio ST.

 

Champions....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OHIO ST.!

 

 

My sleeper team is Arizona...

[jacksonianmarch]

I have 2 1's a 2 and a 4 seed going to the final four.

[YanksHater213]

I wrote this today for my school newspaper. Basically used The Kilo's idea...

 

The Midwest is perhaps the most interesting section, with a flawed one and two seed, a hot three and four seed, and an eight seed that has a lot of potential to go a long way. The returning champions, Florida, are in this section, and have a huge target on them; everyone is going to want to take them out. The two seed is a Wisconsin team that reached the Big 12 Finals, losing to Ohio State. The three and four seeds are Oregon and Maryland, and both come in as hot teams, Oregon winning the Pac-10 tournament in dominant fashion, and Maryland ending their ACC season with quite a few big wins. Butler, Notre Dame, UNLV, Arizona, Purdue, Georgia Tech, Winthrop. Old Dominion, Davidson, Miami of Ohio, Texas A&M CC, and Jackson State.

 

SLEEPER TEAM (DARK HORSE) – Maryland and Oregon. Both come into the tournament on the heels of big wins. Despite losing first round in the ACC tournament, Maryland is still coming in strong and confident. For Oregon, Bryce Taylor, Aaron Brooks, Tajuan Porter, and Malik Hairston lead an explosive four guard offense that can outscore just about anyone in the country.

 

1st ROUND UPSET – Old Dominion over. Both are little known mid-major colleges. Led to a great season by junior guards AJ Graves and Mike Green, they started out the season unknown but made their way into the top 25 with some strong non-conference play. As a bubble team, Old Dominion barely made it in, and led by a balanced attack, Old Dominion has all of the tools for a potential first round upset.

 

MOST OVERRATED TEAM – The Florida Gators are the most overrated team of the section. They’re the same team as last year, and most people will think they’re going a long way. I’m of the opposite opinion. They’re lacking the hot streak and passion they had last year. Their perimeter defense is clearly vulnerable, and after breezing through the SEC Tournament playing mediocre teams (Arkansas was the only one to make the tournament), and ending the season losing three of their last five games, they’re looking more beatable than ever.

 

REGION WINNER – Maryland. Every year in one section of the bracket there is one surprise final four team. Last year it was George Mason, and this year it’s going to be Maryland. They’re hot, experienced, and can hit the three, which are three key components of going far in the NCAA Tournament.

 

The Western section is another section that is confusing. This one seems to be the most weak after the first seed too. Big 12 winner Kansas leads this group, along with two seed UCLA, three seed Pittsburgh, and fourth seed Southern Illinois. Virginia Tech, Duke, Indiana, Kentucky, Villanova, Gonzaga, VCU, Illinois, Holy Cross, Wright State, Weber State, and the winner of Florida A&M and Niagra.

 

SLEEPER TEAM – Duke. As much as I hate Duke, they always seem to show up when it counts. One of the most overrated teams in the country comes in off the heels of a first round loss in the ACC tournament. There really isn’t any reason other than a hunch for putting Duke here. They always show up, and I expect them to come to play again.

 

1st ROUND UPSET – Wright State over Pittsburgh. Wright State comes in hot while Pittsburgh comes in on the heels of being waxed by Georgetown in the Big East final by 20+ points. DaShaun Wood is one of the hottest players in the country right now, will lead this team to a huge win in the first round over an overrated opponent.

 

MOST OVERRATED TEAM – UCLA. At first glance this team looks great as a two seed, but they’re one of the more flawed teams in the country. They don’t have one guy who can take over and score at will, and they don’t have a big man to hold down the boards. These two things are critical for teams that want to win now, and this is one team that is going to go out early in the tournament. Last year they reached the finals on the back of Jordan Farmar. Now that he’s gone, Darren Collison leads them at the point, but he’s nowhere near the scorer that Farmar was.

 

REGION WINNER – Kansas. This shouldn’t even be a contest. Kansas is clearly the deepest and most talented team in the region. They’re hitting on all cylinders after winning the Big 12 tournament, and there is no reason why they can’t win this all.

 

Now to the East, which is undoubtedly the toughest section, featuring number one seeded UNC, two seed Georgetown, three seed Washington State, and fourth seeded Texas. USC, Vanderbilt, Boston College, Marquette, Michigan State, Texas Tech, George Washington, Arkansas, New Mexico State, Oral Roberts, Belmont, and Eastern Kentucky. Top to bottom this section has the strongest seeds, and especially at the top.

 

SLEEPER TEAM – Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt is a team that came into the year not expecting much, but after a bunch of big wins and tying Tennessee for 2nd in the tough half of the SEC, they started to get more national exposure and talk. Led by guards Derrick Byers and Shan Foster, they come in a hot team as well, after winning multiple big games in a tough year for the SEC.

 

1st ROUND UPSET – Texas Tech over Boston College. Boston College is very overrated and has shown an inability to win the big game when it counts over the course of this year. Texas Tech is a solid offensive team with a great coach and will have no problem taking Boston College out.

 

MOST OVERRATED TEAM – UNC. They’re young and inexperienced. Despite winning the ACC, they got an easy draw and didn’t need to play any great opponents. They lucked out with NC State getting to the finals, and only had to play Boston College and Florida State. They haven’t played a quality opponent in a long time, and I figure when they get to later rounds against a team like Texas and with a player as good and versatile as Kevin Durant, they’re screwed.

 

REGION WINNER – Texas. Kevin Durant is unstoppable, and had a great season simply scoring at will. Over the year this young team has matured a lot and showed a lot of poise, especially point guard DJ Augustin. They’ve showed they can play with anyone because of the complete dominance of one man, Kevin Durant.

 

The South is looking to be another very tough region, similar to the East. Ohio State, Memphis, Texas A&M, and Virginia lead out this tough section. Tennessee, Louisville, Nevada, BYU, Xavier, Creighton, Stanford, Long Beach State, Albany, Pennsylvania, North Texas, and Central Connecticut state round out this bracket.

 

SLEEPER TEAM – Virginia. Virginia comes in off of a solid year in the ACC. They’re a 4 seed so they’re expected to do decent, but it’s possible they’ll do even better. Led by one of the best back courts in the nation with Sean Singletary and JR Reynolds, if they get hot, there is absolutely no way to defend them. Averaging a combined 36.8 points per game, the Cavaliers live and die by this tandem of great guards.

 

1st ROUND UPSET – Creighton over Nevada. Creighton started the year ranked 19th in the AP Top 25, so you know they’re a good team. They had a slow season and didn’t really play well, but towards the end of the year, they changed their entire defensive scheme, and since have limited opponents to a spectacular field goal percent of 35.6. Nevada is another good team, but Creighton’s outside shooting will be too much, and Nick Fazekas will not be enough on his own to overcome that.

 

MOST OVERRATED TEAM – Memphis. Memphis is a very good team, but are they as good as a two seed? Nope. They play in the weak Conference USA, and went undefeated. Their three nonconference losses came to Georgia Tech, Arizona, and Tennessee, all teams who made the tournament. Wins over Kentucky and Gonzaga make up their only impressive ones of the year. Overrated.

 

REGION WINNER – Ohio State. The deepest team in the country and perhaps the best team as well. Depth is their key, as they have plenty of players that can score when given the chance. With perhaps the most dominant player in the country, Greg Oden, he will easily be able to dominate any other big man that gets thrown at him. Fellow freshmen Mike Conley Jr. and Daequan Cook round out a stellar freshman class that will lead Ohio State to the Final Four.

 

This year more than ever, the field is wide open. Seemingly all of the big name teams have a chance to win no matter what the seeding is. Whether you picked Kansas, Texas A&M, Ohio State, UNC, or anyone else with a high seed, chances are you made a good pick. All of these teams are great, its just a matter of which teams will shine, and all of these teams have great possibilities to shine this year in the NCAA Basketball Tournament.

[TheKilo]

I'm having a tough time picking a couple of the 1st round games, any insights would be great.

 

MIDWEST

 

Butler/ODU - I like ODU, but is Butler returns to early season form they can be dangerous.

 

UNLV/Ga Tech - I like the athleticism of GT, but will their inexperience hurt them?

 

WEST

 

Southern Illinois/Holy Cross - SIU struggles to score points and HC is perenially a very disciplined team. SIU can really defend though and if they can get some offense they can make a run...I'm leaning SIU's way here.

 

Duke/VCU - Every bone in my body is saying VCU here...but it is Duke we're talking about.

 

EAST - The toughest region IMO

 

Marquette/Mich. St - If Marquette's guards are healthy, they can be dangerous. Dominic James is an awesome talent.

 

Oral Roberts/WSU - Not sold at all on WSU, but I don't have full confidence in picking Oral Roberts, either. OR did hang around with Memphis a bit last year, but can they use the experience to their advantage?

 

SOUTH

 

Virginia/Albany - See my previous post.

 

Louisville/Stanford - I don't think Stanfford should even be in the tournament, and yet here they get a team in Louisville that they are very capable of beating. Stanford has some talented interior players and could beat Louisville.

 

Nevada/Creighton - I like Nevada and I think they have the potential to make a run, but they bombed in the tourny last year and aren't completely healthy.

[Mr Crunchy]

at this hour i like

(east)unc

south)osu

west)pitt

mwest)wisc

 

this will change upon each and every meal i eat between now and thursday am

[Beckett95]

I actually think that after watching today's game that Texas has what it takes to win it all.

 

 

i feel the same way about them

 

they just need to step up on D and get some luck

 

there offense can score points at will

[See Red]

Texas can play with anybody as long as Durant's on the court.

 

You have to figure they have as much experience in close games and OT as anybody in the country.

 

I have them beating Texas A&M in the Final Four and losing to Kansas in the Championship. Big XII is gonna represent come tourney time.

[Beckett95]

ya im thinking along the same lines.

 

i think the Big XII will run the show in the tourney this year.

[Papelbon58]

Oregon, UCLA, G-Town and Ohio State

UCLA over G-Town in the Final.

 

Just for the highlights, I have Wright State upsetting Pitt. I have Oral Roberts and Albany in the Sweet 16, and Creighton in the Elite 8.

[Mr Crunchy]

knowing their will be collassol upsets out there i figure why not start at home

i took holy cross and the illini as 12-13 seeds to win

i took bc over ttech&georgetown despite their horrific ending to an inconsistant season

 

final 4

fla

ku

nc

ohio

with texas ucla maryland and wisconsin on list

 

i like nc to win it all despite roy williams

[jacksonianmarch]

I have Texas winning it all against florida. Just a feeling Durant is going to put that team on his shoulders and win it. They had Kansas by the balls and let em go.

[rician blast]

I have Oral Roberts

 

You have more than one gay friend named Bob?

 

just kidding.

 

actually I kind of agree with the Albany scenario, if you're looking for upsets, that's a decent play, but not sure if they can win 2 games.

[Beckett95]

I have Texas winning it all against florida. Just a feeling Durant is going to put that team on his shoulders and win it. They had Kansas by the balls and let em go.

 

i have the same thing in the final

[Mr Crunchy]

I have Texas winning it all against florida. Just a feeling Durant is going to put that team on his shoulders and win it. They had Kansas by the balls and let em go.

 

i rode them thruout the big 12 tourney and they were blessed to beat a suck baylor team

their point guard,,augustin,, had a miserable 2nd half against ku and cost them the game

 

in this tourney theres no room for inconsistant guard play

 

i think they can run the rack

i also think they can fall in the 1st round

 

im very baffled at the entire thing as of this moment

maybe some NIT action will bring me some clarity

 

the NIT has their best groupings since ccny was good

[CrespoBlows]

Bunch of ?'s.

 

As far as upsets go, I like Old Dominion, Davidson, Georgia Tech, and Winthrop. The Midwest is easily the weakest out of the four, and should have some excellent first day matchups. I don't think Wisconsin will advance past Georgia Tech. They don't have that dominant big man presence, and aren't athletic enough to compensate for it. Florida should easily advance to the Final Four. This year's George Mason, will be Winthrop. I would put down Old Dominion, but they aren't going to beat Florida.

 

In the West, I like VCU to go to the Sweet 16. Duke should be lower than a six, and Pittsburgh always seems to lose when they should win. I'm having the toughest time picking this one. VT/Illinois? Probably a 50-47 shootout. Kentucky/'Nova? Indiana/Gonzaga? D.J White shows up, they could threaten UCLA.

 

Other than Ohio State, and Texas A&M, is there anyone in the South who scares you? Memphis hasn't played anyone, and could be dispatched by Creighton. How good is Nevada? Can Texas A&M beat Ohio State?

 

We can only hope for a Kevin Durant v North Carolina matchup. Does anyone know a thing about Washington St.? They could get bumped by Oral Roberts. Green, Tufts, and King are a pretty lethal trio for the Eagles. Georgetown looks like they have the bullets to win three games, they'll probably get knocked out with their zero guard approach.

 

I guess I would have to say:

 

Florida

UCLA

UNC

Texas A&M

 

is my Final Four. I have Winthrop, Kansas, Washington St.?, and Ohio St. in the elite 8. I have very little confidence in these picks. I will probably spend the next 48 hours examining every possible angle.

 

(BTW, find as many Catholics as you can, and get them to join your pool. Chances are, they will pick Norte Dame, or B.C)

[Soxfan1]

I got Kansas, Georgetown, OSU and Wisc for a final 4.

[TheKilo]

My bracket is in, I don't want to think about it anymore.

 

Oregon

UCLA

Georgetown

Ohio State

[schillingouttheks]

I'll do the rest after I microwave a Hot Pocket.

 

What kind!?!?!?

[TheKilo]

What kind!?!?!?

 

Meatball and Mozzarella in one of those Sub rolls.